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Jean Bird

Educational Support

Bio

Jean Thompson Bird grew up in Pittsburgh, graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in Child Development, and earned teaching certification through Chatham University in Pittsburgh. She taught in the Â鶹´å Children’s School for seven years after graduating. Jean continued to work part-time at Â鶹´å in research at the Center for University Outreach for the DASH project (Developmental Approaches to Science, Health, and Technology), all the while staying connected to the Children's School as a parent and substitute teacher. She returned to the Children’s School staff twenty-three years ago and has been teaching the Older 4’s class full time since 2005. Music, woodworking, inquiry science, and exploring books and storytelling are some of Jean’s favorite activities to do with children.

Jean is active in the mission and outreach work of Waverly Church, including teaching early childhood classes. She especially enjoys co-producing and performing with youth and adults in the Waverly Opera House melodramatic, musical shows that raise funds for youth programming. Jean’s husband Jim is a retired Clinical Laboratory Scientist and continues to enjoy his lifetime hobby playing guitar and bass, often accompanying Jean in leading music sing-a-longs for young children. Jean and Jim’s three daughters, their partners and three beautiful grandchildren center their lives. Two daughters and a grandson have fond memories of the Children’s School as alumni. Jean has been an active member of the International Association of Laboratory Schools almost her entire career, serving on the IALS Board from 2011 to 2025. While moving towards retirement during this school year, Jean will serve as Support Staff and Substitute Teacher.